2023-12-20 09:38:23
The World Health Organization has announced that the COVID-19 strain JN.1, a mutated sub-strain of the BA.2.86 parent strain, is now classified as a strain of interest. The organization stated that while the health risks associated with this strain are currently low, it still poses a potential risk to public health.
Experts have noted that the JN.1 strain has the ability to evade immunity and may spread more easily than other strains. However, there is currently no evidence to suggest that it will cause severe illness in infected individuals. Andrew Pekosz, a virologist at John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, emphasized that while the number of people infected with the JN.1 strain may increase, the overall risk to public health is not expected to rise significantly.
The WHO also confirmed that the existing COVID-19 vaccines are still effective in protecting against severe illness and death caused by the JN.1 strain, as well as other strains of the virus. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the JN.1 subtype accounts for approximately 15-29% of all COVID-19 infections in the United States. However, the CDC stated that there is currently no evidence to suggest that the JN.1 strain poses a greater risk to public health than other circulating strains.
Furthermore, health officials have indicated that receiving a booster shot could provide additional protection against the JN.1 strain. While the situation is being closely monitored, the general consensus is that the existing public health measures and vaccination efforts remain effective in mitigating the potential impact of the JN.1 strain.]
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